PETER FALK- RIP

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

As many of you already know- we lost one of the true originals, one of the REAL "icons" - Peter Falk this week. I wanted to add this thread- as I feel that Mr Falk should be recognized for the treasure that he was. In these days when looks matter more than talent, Falk was made it on pure talent. I often watch Columbo when I need 70 minutes of not only superb TV- but to feel so very uplifted by that little man, in the rumpled raincoat, driving that old wreck of a car- with a bassett hound in it, always have "Just more more question"
I grew up with Columbo- and while there have been countless TV detectives- He was in a class by himself- as- Falk was different- impossible to not love- as he methodically took down Jack Cassidy, Patrick Mcgoohan, Ray Milland, Ross Martin ect ect ect-
I urge all to watch a film he made, The Brinks Job- in which he was so brilliant- so as we mourn the passing of Peter Falk- let us celebrate the life and talent of a man who depending on raw acting talent to become a true legend- and a wonderful actor to remind us that - to paraphrase Gloria Swanson- "They had personalities back then"
Rick

[[deleted user]]

Peter Falk was an amazingly talented actor.

[Gatorman]

RIP, Peter. I'll always remember "The In-Laws" and him yelling at Alan Arkin "Serpentine, Serpentine!"

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Gatorman wrote: "RIP, Peter. I'll always remember "The In-Laws" and him yelling at Alan Arkin "Serpentine, Serpentine!""

and those Tze Tze Flies- as big as dogs that swooped down and carried off small children!!

[Ellen]

I think of Colombo & his "just one more thing".

And the fact that C. was based on the detective in Crime and Punishment.

And how much Falk reminded me of my dad.

I cried when I read of his death. I hope they start showing his work in tribute to his career. He was a fine actor.

[Patricia]

Rick wrote: "As many of you already know- we lost one of the true originals, one of the REAL "icons" - Peter Falk this week. I wanted to add this thread- as I feel that Mr Falk should be recognized for the trea..."

I agree, Rick, Peter Falk was a real icon. He was one of my favourite actors along with Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum. I just watched an interview with Peter Falk and he seemed just like the character he played in Columbo, one of my favourite shows. It's sad to see all the great ones go, but they live on in the movies and in our memories. I'v seen The Brink Job, Rick, a great movie, hopefully it will come on TV again now.

Peter Falk rocks!

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Patricia wrote: "Rick wrote: "As many of you already know- we lost one of the true originals, one of the REAL "icons" - Peter Falk this week. I wanted to add this thread- as I feel that Mr Falk should be recognized..."

not sure why Brinks Job is not availableon DVD- must be a legal issue- just on VHS- a real gem!!

[Natasha]

I was saddened to hear of Peter Falk's death. His character inspired me to be a wiseguy. In school and college my comments always ended with "Just one more question". I was proud when one of my professor's got the reference and would humor me with clues to my particular question never fully answering until I solved the question myself. I played the game when I was a teacher too...giving clues to my students without fully answering the queation until they asked the right ones to solve the biology murder/kidnapping etc. It was always one of their vocabulary words. I told them it was a new game of I Spy. I had a few students over the years that recognized it was Columbo I was imitating...and trying to provoke into the students. One student turned me onto his later 2000 episodes that I had not known had returned to TV.

I hear the show is going to be on TV Land, is that right? Which channel will host my favorite bumbling sleuth? Would love to reminisce with my mom and fold laundry while watching the show as we did in my childhood.

[Natasha]

RIP Peter Falk. You will live in our memories and be missed for your entertainment and contributions to the dementia and alzeihmers foundations.

[Cheryl]

I was really sad to hear of Peter Falk's death. He was my absolute favourite bumbling, wrinkly-raincoated detective. :(

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

NerdyOZ wrote: "I was saddened to hear of Peter Falk's death. His character inspired me to be a wiseguy. In school and college my comments always ended with "Just one more question". I was proud when one of my pro..."

what a wonderful tale of your school days!

[Jewel]

Rick wrote: "As many of you already know- we lost one of the true originals, one of the REAL "icons" - Peter Falk this week. I wanted to add this thread- as I feel that Mr Falk should be recognized for the trea..."
He was one of the most amazing character actors to ever grace the screen. They don't make em' like that anymore.

[Manybooks]

I loved Columbo, but I think my favourite movie that featured Peter Falk is the amazing German art-film "Wings of Desire" (where he actually played himself). You're right, Jewel, they do not make them like they used to.

[Ellen]

Wings of Desire is my #1 all time favorite movies & Falk's appearance is an extra bonus.

He was a great villain in Murder One.

[Manybooks]

Ellie wrote: "Wings of Desire is my #1 all time favorite movies & Falk's appearance is an extra bonus.

He was a great villain in Murder One."

Wings of Desire is probably one of my favourite movies of all time as well.

[Ellen]

I have to get a copy of it. I want to see it so badly right now.

I've told my son the story of the movie over and over like a bedtime story.

He calls it the "movie about the angel who was willing to die to smell coffee."

[Manybooks]

Ellie wrote: "I have to get a copy of it. I want to see it so badly right now.

I've told my son the story of the movie over and over like a bedtime story.

He calls it the "movie about the angel who was willing..."

Have you seen the sequel, "Faraway, so Close"? It was quite disappointing. And don't get me started on "City of Angels" (I hated it with a passion).

[Ellen]

I was extremely disappointed.

I keep forgetting there even was a sequel. Unfortunately, that meant I've seen it twice!

[Martin]

I don't think there was ever a part he didn't excel at. A master actor - with massive range.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Martin wrote: "I don't think there was ever a part he didn't excel at. A master actor - with massive range."

so true Martin- BTW Silver Twist - EXCELLENT!

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

I really was not aware of Wings of Desire - will have to netflix it tonight

[Manybooks]

Rick wrote: "I really was not aware of Wings of Desire - will have to netflix it tonight"

Rick, you have to see it, it's amazing, really amazing.

[Ellen]

It really is my favorite film. Ever.

And I love the movies.

[Ellen]

Gundula wrote: "Ellie wrote: "I have to get a copy of it. I want to see it so badly right now.

I've told my son the story of the movie over and over like a bedtime story.

He calls it the "movie about the angel w..."

btw, I hated hated City of Angels!

[Manybooks]

Ellie wrote: "Gundula wrote: "Ellie wrote: "I have to get a copy of it. I want to see it so badly right now.

I've told my son the story of the movie over and over like a bedtime story.

He calls it the "movie a..."

I really don't understand why Hollywood always has to "remake" wonderful European art films and turn them into trash.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Peter Falk really was so distinctive- so far from the vast majority of actors today

[Ellen]

I didn't really see the point of remaking Wings unless everything was kept exactly the same except for the language.

And there are a lot of voice-overs & "thinking" monologues which would be pretty easy to just dub.

And the filming was so beautiful.

No I didn't see the point. Especially after I saw the film.

[Chris]

It was sad to hear about Mr. Falk's death. I always loved him as Columbo.

[Stuart]

He was one of those actors that never melted away on the screen -- you always knew it was Falk you were looking at -- and yet you didn't mind. In fact, you want him to be him. He was such a unique figure (in voice, in stature, in look) that it would be a crime for him to disappear into a role. Instead, the roles had to conform to him.

[Laurie]

I so enjoyed his role as Columbo but really loved his part in the movie "The Great Race" as the fall guy for Jack Lemmon. He was one of the greatest.

[Martin]

Rick wrote: "Martin wrote: "I don't think there was ever a part he didn't excel at. A master actor - with massive range."

so true Martin- BTW Silver Twist - EXCELLENT! "


Many thanks Rick - I'm glad you liked it :-)

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Stuart wrote: "He was one of those actors that never melted away on the screen -- you always knew it was Falk you were looking at -- and yet you didn't mind. In fact, you want him to be him. He was such a uniqu..."

well put!!

[Gary F]

Peter Falk was truly one of the most unique and unforgettable actors of any generation.

[Shirley]

RIP, Peter Falk. He was one of my all-time favourite actors. I never tired of watching the Columbo shows.

I've never heard of Wings of Desire so I'll have to check it out.

[Jane]

I particularly liked him when he was showing off his talent in comedy = Pocket Full of Miracles - Robin and the Seven Hoods - The Great Race.

[Susie]

Love this actor and this man.

[Judy]

My kids reminisced about his part in Princess Bride, the movie. I loved Columbo...what a loss.

[[deleted user]]

Big loss. He was great.

[Jane]

I just watched a movie with Peter Falk and Keanu Reeves. Peter Falk was a very eccentric radio soap opera writer with his own agenda. Very funny - wild black wig always sipping some magic potion or something - again a wonderful funny performance. I wish I could remember the name ---

[[deleted user]]

Jane wrote: "I just watched a movie with Peter Falk and Keanu Reeves. Peter Falk was a very eccentric radio soap opera writer with his own agenda. Very funny - wild black wig always sipping some magic potion ..."

Found it! 'Tune in Tomorrow...'
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100822/

[Jane]

Georgina wrote: "Jane wrote: "I just watched a movie with Peter Falk and Keanu Reeves. Peter Falk was a very eccentric radio soap opera writer with his own agenda. Very funny - wild black wig always sipping some ..."

Thanks - Catch it if you can ---

[[deleted user]]

Jane wrote: "Georgina wrote: "Jane wrote: "I just watched a movie with Peter Falk and Keanu Reeves. Peter Falk was a very eccentric radio soap opera writer with his own agenda. Very funny - wild black wig alw..."

It looks really good. Will seek it out :) Georgina.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Georgina wrote: "Jane wrote: "Georgina wrote: "Jane wrote: "I just watched a movie with Peter Falk and Keanu Reeves. Peter Falk was a very eccentric radio soap opera writer with his own agenda. Very funny - wild ..."

Peter Falk was so so good in a film called THE BRINK'S JOB- now on DVD finally!! a true gem- based on true story- and it has Warren Oates in it to boot!!

[P.I.]

I've always loved him, you're right, he was a true original (rare in Hollywood these days)! He was very sick at the end, suffering from Alzheimer's and his daughter was taking care of him. It must have been hard on them both. Perhaps now they will both have rest in different ways. RIP Peter Falk. You will be missed and loved always.